Modern technology has laid the track for criminals. Many criminals have jumped on the train of cyber crimes by using the internet. Cyber crimes allows criminals to act fast and get instantaneous satisfaction, yet allows them to feel like they are being anonymous. Cyber crimes usually permits criminals to target individuals, ones finances, or the public, but avoiding these crimes by early detection and more importantly prevention are extremely imperative.
On the internet, there are an abundance of stalkers and predators. However, not all the people who use the internet is classified as a predator or stalker. In larger metropolitan areas the government has specialized units investigating cyber stalking. These specific units investigate and prosecute cyber stalking crimes (Cyber Stalking). Stalkers and predators have many personality profiles; however, once in a while, the police classify them as copy cats. According to National White Collar Crime Center:
The psychological profile of a stalker is that of a person who is somewhat sophisticated (i.e., computer literate) and able to financially support herself. Generally, they are emotionally distant loners who seek attention and companionship in cyberspace and often become obsessed with persons they met while online. (Cyber Stalking)
In most cases, the average person, could be considered as a stalker and or predator; most do not need to be computer literate. The stalker or the predator just needs to be able to know the general basics of using the computer and internet.
Surprisingly enough, defamation or slander is actually a crime where victims can take the wrongdoer to court. “If you defame someone, and you’re found guilty of defamation, civil fines usually apply. This mea...
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Anyone around you can be a stalker. Stalkers come from all and any socio-economc background. There are categories made for stalkers but at times, not every stalker fits in each characteristics perfectly. According to the Sexual Assault prevention & Awareness Center, there are six categories of stalkers. The Rejected stalker, Resentful stalker, Predatory stalker, Intimacy seeker, Incompetent suitor, and Erotomania and Morbidly Infatuated.
Stalking is most commonly defined “...as non-consensual communication, and/or harassment of another person” (Spitz). Stalking can be ruled as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity of the actions, but it is not considered illegal if one is not threatened or in potential danger. There are two types of stalking; one involves the victim and stalker having a personal relationship with one another, while the other involves the two having no connection at all (Accomando and Anderson). Stalking consists of the repetition of undesired and frightening acts from the stalker, and it is a major violation of privacy (Accomando and Anderson; Wigman). Over
These stalkers have yearning for retribution for real or imaginary harm. The stalker intention is to startle and astound their victim and their action is upheld by sense of command and control which stalking endows.
The victim is usually female. It is crucial to be careful if one starts noticing signs that they are being stalked, because the perpetrator can become violent quickly. If one starts to notice signs of stalking behavior, it is critical to record every interaction he/she had with the stalker and tell a family member or trusted friend (forms of stalki...
Thomas, Emily (01/16/14) “International Child Sex Abuse Sting Operation IDs Hundreds Of Suspects” The Huffington Post. Accessed < http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/16/philippine-cybersex-den_n_4605033.html> on 14/03/14
In the case of stalking, which is relatively new in the research arena and thus has a limited evidence base to inform practice, SPJ appears to be the most appropriate as only a detailed and flexible risk assessment process that takes into account the different forms of potential damage can provide a basis for management that reduces the potential harm to the victim and the stalker both (Mullen et al, 2006). Further research into stalking risk factors and comprehensive assessment tools will aid the development of more accurate and detailed procedures specific to the assessment of risk in stalking.
Wolak, J., Finkelhor, D., Mitchell, K. J., & Ybarra, M. L. (2008). Online “Predators” and their Victims: Myths, Realities and Implications for Prevention and Treatment. American Psychologist, 63. Retrieved from http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/Am%20Psy%202-08.pdf
The National Conference of State Legislatures (2013) defines Cyber stalking as the use of the internet, email or other electronic communications to stalk. It generally refers to a pattern of threatening behaviors or malicious intent. The NCSL considered it the most dangerous of cyber harassments. According to the Louisiana statute, Cyberstalking is the actions of any person to perform the following:
In todays community no one is safe from targeted by a stalker, males and females become victims of this crime everyday. Men may not be victimized by this crime as much but it still causes a burden to the ones who are. Roughly around 8,000 men across the nation have been victimized by a stalker, narrowing it down to 2% being stalked at least once (Mechanic Mindy). Being a victim of a stalker means a lot of stress and precaution on how you live your life. Any wrong move could lead to your personal life being intruded and possibly getting hurt. Being aware of your surroundings and one's behavior will prepare you for what a stalker brings to the table. Stalkers are able of doing anything from watching you from far away or breaking into your home and getting into your personal belongings. 1 out of every 12 women and 1 out of every 45 men are victimized by a stalker (Mechanic Mindy). Does not really sound seem like a huge number but it adds up as stalkers are not stopped and continue to think what they are doing is okay. Four out of every five s...
...n them and their friends. Online predators mainly exist on the Internet, because they take advantage of the anonymity that social networking sites provide. They usually treat their victims with kindness, attention and even gifts. Once the predator build trust with their victim, they will try to meet them in real life in hope that they can fulfill their fantasies of having sexual encounter with underage kids.
The first issue to discuss is determining the motive of the stalker. There is not one type of stalker; this is reflected by the numerous categories created pertaining to a stalker’s motive. Typologies have been created to illustrate these varying types of stalkers. One typology, developed by Zona, Palarea and Lane (1998), used information gathered from ...
Robert Moore’s Cybercrime: Investigating High-Technology Computer Crime is an informative text that supplies the reader with basic understandable knowledge of increasing cybercrimes and strategies that law enforcement are taking in order to catch cyber criminals. Moore’s work has a total of thirteen chapters that are full of information that help the reader better understand the different cybercrime threats such as, hacking, identity theft, child pornography, and financial fraud. Moore also goes into detail on different law enforcement tactics that help catch cyber criminals such as, the seizing of digital evidence, executing search warrants for digital evidence, computer forensics, and cybercriminology. Moore’s main goal is to help the reader grasp a better understanding of cybercrime that faces the world today. Through reading this book, I can validly say that Moore’s thorough work, perspectives, and examples helped me better understand high-technology computer crime and investigative strategies as well.
In a variation known as corporate cyberstalking, an organization stalks an individual. Corporate cyberstalking (which is not the same thing as corporate monitoring of e-mail) is usually initiated by a high-ranking company official with a grudge, but may be conducted by any number of employees within the organization. Less frequently, corporate cyberstalking involves an individual stalking a corporation.
Violence against women is not always physical. With the continuing advancements in technology, cyber stalking is an increasing way for predators to attack women. “Cyber stalking is the use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk someone which may be a computer crime or harassment.” The anonymity of interacting with someone online makes it very easy to stalk someone without even leaving home. Cyber stalkers have a sense of security that since they are not seen, they will not be identified. It is estimated that over 75% of victims are women. This estimated figure is lower than the actual number because a large majority of cyber stalking goes unreported.